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Pirongia Forest Park

Farmland looking toward Mt Pirongia - click for more.
The Pirongia Forest Park includes three extinct volcanos - Mount Pirongia, The Cone and Mount Karioi.
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The Pirongia Forest Park includes three extinct volcanos - Mount Pirongia (959 metres), The Cone (945 metres) and Mount Karioi (756 metres).

The area is densely forested, but vegetation changes noticeably as the altitude increases. Rimu and totara are found in the lower levels of the forest, along with tawa and tree ferns. Higher up, hardy plants such as kamahi and horopito ('pepper tree' - frequently used as a cooking spice) are found on exposed ridges. Near mountain summits, thick mats of mountain flax, coprosmas and ferns are common.

There are many walking tracks in this forest park - from one hour nature rambles to 10 hour epic adventures. A special experience is the walk to Kaniwhaniwha Caves, which are near the start of Bell Track. You can walk through the 20 metre main cave, except for a short hands-and-knees crawl. The cave is wet underfoot and torches are required. The second cave is tight and narrow.

While you're hiking, you can hope to see tui, kereru (wood pigeons), bellbirds, grey warblers, fantails, tomtits and - around the park margins - harriers, kingfishers and pipits.
 


 
WAIKATO Region


Contact Details

Contact: Te Awamutu i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 7 8713 259
Fax: +64 7 8712 888
Postal: 1 Gorst Avenue TE AWAMUTU 3800
Website: www.teawamutu.co.nz

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Te Awamutu is the closest town to this highlight.

In Te Awamutu:

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Te Awamutu does not have any rail stations.

The nearest rail station is in Otorohanga (25 minutes)

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Te Awamutu does not have scheduled passenger air services.

The nearest airport is in Hamilton (28 minutes)

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